# Translation software

1. Implement a free/libre/open source translation software, particularly targeting endangered languages and user contributions.  
1. Design a well-formed database design for portability.  
1. Differentiate from other popular translation software or websites by enabling other/different languages and user contributions to both the codebase and to the dictionaries.  
1. Support sharing by importing, exporting, editing contributions.  

## Name Ideas
Foam Dictionary, for the free/open asynchronous and mobile compatible dictionary.  

## Stories

1. Students/users from internet unreliable, non-English/minority/endangered language speaking communities would like to translate their language to and from English.  
2. Users would like to copy some or all of the language database to use when offline.  
3. Users need to edit the translations and to add new word and phrase/expressions.  

## Suggestions

1. Reuse ideas or code from other projects, such as Mitzuli for the tranlation/interpretation.  
2. Pull dictionary entries from an existing dictionary db such as Wiktionary.  
3. Target lesser used or endangered languages such as Chinukwawa, Dusner, Övdalsk, Apiaka, Duwamish, Ter Sami, Inupiaq.  
4. Share the database via federation, db export, or reports, and allow for respective imports.  
5. Regardless of the license of this project's translation software, the data exports should allow anyone to reuse it, free/open/proprietary. Contact other translation projects if they would import this project's data.  
6. Use AI/machine learning techniques for word translation and interpretation of phrases.  

### Reuse of prior art

Many language translations and dictionary exist, however many of them lack endangered languages, exports, user contributions. On the other hand, llod-cloud might provide a good starting point for sharing models.  

* [Mitzuli](www.mitzuli.com/) - Android app.  
* [OpenNMT](http://opennmt.net/) - Machine learning.  
* [PanLex](https://panlex.org/)
* [Linguistic Linked Open Data Cloud](http://linguistic-lod.org/llod-cloud)

## Roles

Sponsor: TBD  
Developer: TBD  
Users: TBD, pending responses  

## References

1. [Endangered languages on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Endangered_languages)  
1. [Endangered Languages Project](http://www.endangeredlanguages.com/)  
1. [Wikitongues](https://wikitongues.org/)  

